Motorama, Madrid Sept 30 - Oct 2, 2022
Words and pictures by Onno "Berserk" Wieringa, www.madnessphotography.nl
Slated as an AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building affiliate for a second year after the show was postponed four times due to Covid, finally, Motorama Madrid was a great success. Although the number of custom bikes that showed up was down, after everything the event had been through, and given the uncertain times in which we live, the 11th edition of Motorama was "very cool," according to AMD World Championship Ambassador and Photographer Onno Wieringa, "with classy, well-engineered bikes showcasing the creativity of the custom market in Spain and further afield."
"Fernando Armenteros, organizer of the custom bike show at Motorama, did a great job, combining great custom work with some exciting show ideas, making it dynamic and lively for the enthusiastic visitors. There were special paint demonstrations, engine builders assembling a H-D Evo and many other dynamic activities to hold visitor attention.
"On the first day, all the competitors were introduced to the public as each customizer came to the stage to be interviewed about their bike and, for the professionals, about their businesses. The judges made their rounds on the Saturday - scrutinizing the craftsmanship and creativity, engineering, fabrication and finish - paying particular attention to self-made parts and innovative design solutions."
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Best in Show: William Gomez with 'Sacrament' - an "exceptional Yamaha 600 Diversion featuring flowing lines and a single-sided front end"
Motorama filled two large halls at the iconic Pabellon de Cristal (Crystal Pavilion), the center piece of the exhibition and event facilities at Madrid's huge downtown Casa de Campo Park, overlooking Madrid's Royal Palace complex and cathedral.
The lower level was reserved for all motorcycle performance, parts, accessories, gear and apparel vendors, with all the big displays for clothes, helmets etc. The upper level was filled with motorcycle manufacturer displays - including the Japanese 'Big Four', BMW, Triumph, Harley-Davidson and Indian.
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Street class winner, H-D XR1200 Turbo by Sueca
Aftermarket distributor Custom Chrome Europe and several other custom parts suppliers had booths, and main stage presentations, shows and live music sets made sure there was action and atmosphere all day, every day - plenty to keep the enthusiastic crowds interested - with the main spotlight, the center piece of the event, being the AMD World Championship affiliate custom bike show, with many new bikes making their international debut.
Outside displays included yet more bikes, with rider parking lining the avenues approaching the facility. Adjacent to the entrance, Jekill & Hyde demonstrated its award-winning electronically controlled, three-mode sound management exhaust systems, and the demo ride programs were fully booked throughout three days of great late summer weather in the Spanish capital.
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Custom class winner, a Viking style chopper 'Drakkar', built by Lluis of LIC Motorcycles
On the final day, all the bikes entered into the 'AMD' were rolled out onto the platform and had to be able to start (kick or electric) and ride down the ramp and stop for a photo in front of the large AMD/EME Madrid scrutineering center, start up again, ride a wide turn and back up the onto the platform.
"This was a real draw, a real spectacle, and it went to the heart of 'AMD' values as a genuine design and engineering showcase that recognizes genuinely ridable craftsmanship, innovation and creativity," said Onno.
"The public loved to see that and cheered appreciatively - and loudly - for every bike once they re-started. This is how every bike show should be, showing that your bike is rideable. Unfortunately, not all bikes succeeded, and, sadly, some were disqualified for not being able to perform this 'AMD' run test, regardless of how innovative the ideas were, regardless of how convincing the craftsmanship appeared to be.
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'Dolbagg', a cool Sportster Bagger built by Custmotion (Marc Torrent from Switzerland) was awarded a VIP invitation for the next 'AMD'
"After this spectacular climax all the bikes were lined up in front of the stage for the announcements. First in Custom was the huge Viking style chopper named 'Drakkar', built by Lluis of LIC Motorcycles, and first in the Street Class was a lovely H-D XR1200 Turbo by Sueca.
"Before announcing the 'Best in Show', a special VIP invitation for the next 'AMD' was awarded for 'Dolbagg', a cool Sportster Bagger built by Custmotion (Marc Torrent from Switzerland), with the biggest prize and qualification for the next 'AMD' awarded to William Gomez for 'Sacrament' - an exceptional Yamaha 600 Diversion featuring flowing lines and a single-sided front end."
Congratulations to all the winners, and a huge thanks to the EME Motorama Show, Niko of Nikobikes in Italy for helping as a judge, and especially Fernando Armenteros for all his dedicated hard work, resulting in one of the best 'AMD' shows we've seen in a long time.
Motorama Madrid 2023 is planned for March 10-12.
